How the City of Madison, Wisconsin Solved It’s Smart Water Meter Consumer Problem: The Opt Out Policy

Posted on October 8, 2017

Steve Mensing, Editor

♦ In recent weeks we’ve received a large volume of complaints about Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU) jack-rolling water customers on their water bills with their so-called Smart Water Meter technology. Many customers in the county and in Salisbury, examining their water bills saw significant hikes. From 20% to 50% and in some cases incredible spikes. “Hey we don’t have a freaking Olympic Size swimming pool or giant water fountain!” Not a sparkling picture for people at any income level and even more so for folks on fixed incomes. People out in the county are none too thrilled about being forced to pay for Salisbury’s Fibrant Debacle.

Crystal World’s Fountain, Wattens, Austria (From the Atlas Obscura)

Here in forward thinking Madison was how their city council dealt with a potential smart water meter crisis: “The Opt Out Policy”.